{"id":17714,"date":"2026-09-24T20:40:50","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T20:40:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.breakthrought1d.org\/greaternewengland\/?p=17714"},"modified":"2026-09-24T20:40:50","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T20:40:50","slug":"become-a-community-connector-bring-your-local-t1d-community-together","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.breakthrought1d.org\/greaternewengland\/2026\/09\/24\/become-a-community-connector-bring-your-local-t1d-community-together\/","title":{"rendered":"Become a Community Connector: Bring Your Local T1D Community Together"},"content":{"rendered":"<p dir=\"ltr\">Every person facing type 1 diabetes (T1D) knows the feeling of walking into a room and instantly understanding each other \u2014 no explanation needed. That connection is powerful. It\u2019s also the whole idea behind one of our most hands-on volunteer roles: the Community Connector.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Across the Northeastern States Territory \u2014 spanning the Greater New England Chapter and the Connecticut and Western Massachusetts Chapter \u2014 Community Connectors are the local link between Breakthrough T1D and the families who need us most. We\u2019re looking for more people to join them.<\/p>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\" data-uw-rm-heading=\"prs\">What does a Community Connector do?<\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Community Connectors plan and lead peer support meetups and community events in their own backyard \u2014 at parks, libraries, bowling alleys, restaurants, and anywhere else local T1D families can gather. Think casual coffee meetups, family game nights, or a walk in the park with other people who just get it.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Community Connectors choose the dates and locations, then partner with their Community Connector Chair and Breakthrough T1D staff to bring each event to life \u2014 from spreading the word to welcoming families when they arrive. It\u2019s a role built on relationships: showing up, listening, and helping every family in the room feel a little less alone.<\/p>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\" data-uw-rm-heading=\"prs\">Why it matters<\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">T1D doesn\u2019t take a day off, and neither does the need for community. Every meetup a Community Connector hosts helps grow Breakthrough T1D\u2019s presence locally and gives families a real, in-person way to connect with people who understand exactly what they\u2019re going through.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Community Connectors don\u2019t do it alone. Breakthrough T1D staff support every event with:<\/p>\n<ul dir=\"ltr\">\n<li>A peer network of fellow Community Connectors to collaborate with<\/li>\n<li>RSVP tracking, so it\u2019s easier to anticipate turnout<\/li>\n<li>An event-details form and promotional support across social media, chapter websites, flyers, and Outreach Ambassadors<\/li>\n<li>Materials to share with families at each event<\/li>\n<li>A sign-in sheet to help staff follow up with attendees<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\" data-uw-rm-heading=\"prs\">What it takes<\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">No special expertise required \u2014 just a genuine understanding of the Breakthrough T1D mission, strong communication skills, and a willingness to collaborate with staff and fellow volunteers. The commitment is one two-year term, with at least one event hosted per quarter.<\/p>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\" data-uw-rm-heading=\"prs\">What you\u2019ll gain<\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Community Connectors get a front-row seat to Breakthrough T1D\u2019s progress \u2014 staying current on chapter activities and the latest research advancing cures, prevention, and treatment for T1D. They build lasting connections with fellow volunteers and the families they meet. And with every event, they grow our base of supporters working toward a world without T1D.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Most of all, they earn something money can\u2019t buy: the genuine gratitude of the individuals and families whose lives they touch.<\/p>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\" data-uw-rm-heading=\"prs\">Ready to connect your community?<\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">If you\u2019re looking for a meaningful, flexible way to give back, becoming a Community Connector might be it. Visit the following link to sign up: <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.cloud.microsoft\/r\/25iJimz8iw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-uw-rm-brl=\"PR\" data-uw-original-href=\"https:\/\/forms.cloud.microsoft\/r\/25iJimz8iw\" aria-label=\"forms.cloud.microsoft\/r\/25iJimz8iw - opens in a new tab\" data-uw-rm-ext-link=\"\">forms.cloud.microsoft\/r\/25iJimz8iw<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Have questions first? Reach out to Holly Maloney at <a href=\"mailto:hmaloney@bt1d.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hmaloney@bt1d.org<\/a>\u2014 we\u2019d love to talk it through with you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every person facing type 1 diabetes (T1D) knows the feeling of walking into a room and instantly understanding each other \u2014 no explanation needed. That connection is powerful. It\u2019s also the whole idea behind one of our most hands-on volunteer&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":803,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"publish_on_app_meta":"True","iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":"","bt1d_storytelling_post":false,"bt1d_storytelling_more_posts":[]},"topics":[245,2132],"class_list":["post-17714","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","jdrf_topic-events","jdrf_topic-our-community"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Become a Community Connector: Bring Your Local T1D Community Together - Greater New England Chapter<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.breakthrought1d.org\/greaternewengland\/2026\/09\/24\/become-a-community-connector-bring-your-local-t1d-community-together\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Become a Community Connector: Bring Your Local T1D Community Together - Greater New England Chapter\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Every person facing type 1 diabetes (T1D) knows the feeling of walking into a room and instantly understanding each other \u2014 no explanation needed. 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